6 benefits of social distancing

The last few weeks have felt surreal, haven't they?

I've never experienced anything like this Coronavirus pandemic in my life, and I'm sure many of you second that sentiment.

While the most important thing we can do right now is keep ourselves and our families safe and healthy, many are already starting to chafe of cabin fever.

They complain of feeling isolated and disconnected from the world in a way they never have before.

Chances are, you've already worked from home for a few days. Such an arrangement has its share of pros and cons.

Sure, you can work in your undees, spend more time with family, and not have to grapple with traffic.

But some people just aren't as self-motivated as others, and without a boss a few feet away to keep them focused on their work, they become easily distracted -- whether by their kids clamoring to play, the cat meowing for food, or the temptation to watch The Price is Right.

And while we can still do takeout and delivery, it's not the same as following a good movie at the local theater with dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

Thankfully, we can still connect with friends and family on social media, but it is no substitute for getting together in person.

Nonetheless, there are a few perks that come with distancing ourselves socially from other people and staying at home for an extended period of time.

1. Indulge your hobbies. Haven't picked up a book for a while? Has it been months since you last updated your blog? No matter your preferred creative outlet, now's the time to immerse yourself in the things you enjoy.

2. Cultivate new interests. Maybe you've been meaning to learn a new language or how to cook, but haven't had the time. With most stores, parks, and restaurants closed, why not seize the opportunity to hunker down and achieve new goals for yourself?

3. Enjoy a streaming bonanza. Maybe you're not much of a reader, but the thought of spending an entire day watching episodes of How To Get Away With Murder fills you with glee. I can only imagine the gobs of money that streaming services like Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu are making as we speak.

4. Clean and organize at home. Perhaps you can't remember the last time you vacuumed your apartment. Maybe your stack of mail is about the topple over. It wouldn't hurt to spend some time tidying up the place.

5. Spend time with the family. Maybe your son has been hounding you for weeks to play his new Star Wars game with him, or your wife has been adamant about reinstating Movie Night on Friday evenings.

6. Relish not having to come into contact with others. And I don't just mean people who are infected. Maybe this affords you the opportunity to keep your distance from your toxic boss, meddling neighbor, or those fake, pretentious people you see at the gym.

There's no telling how long it will be before COVID-19 dissipates and we can go back to living our regular lives, but we might as well make the most of the time we're cocooned at home.

Stay safe, everyone. We'll get through this!

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